Abortion

Abortion or termination as it’s otherwise
known is a medical procedure which ends a pregnancy.You can legally end a pregnancy up to 24 weeks under the Abortion Act 1967.

Planning to have or having had an abortion can bring about many feelings and emotions. Given a rise in hormones due to the pregnancy, things can seem very overwhelming. It’s important that you have someone to talk your feelings through with. It is completely normal to have feelings of relief, guilt, loss or sadness, sometimes even anger.

Depending on how far along your pregnancy has gone, there are usually two types of abortion.

Medical – this procedure involves two sets of tablets and is only offered before 9 weeks.

Surgical – this involves a
local or general anaesthetic where the pregnancy is removed from the uterus.

There are many reasons why a woman may choose not to go ahead with the pregnancy.The choice is that of the women and she should have access to non-judgemental advice.

Reasons why you may choose to have an
abortion are:

Social reasons – the inability to care for or raise a child

An unwanted pregnancy

Birth control failed

The child will have severe medical problems

Sexual assault or rape

Continuing pregnancy will endanger the women’s life

Counselling is an integral part of making the decision to end a pregnancy. Your
counsellor will help you look at your feelings and the situation and work with you to make the right decision for you, however ultimately it is always your choice
and no one can make that choice for you.

For further help and information you can visit the Marie Stopes website.